By Royal Decree: Honor to the Filial Son
"Filial son Kim Si-jin, come out and receive the royal decree!"
"Archery isn't just about hitting a distant target. It's one of the six arts for disciplining body and mind, clearing away stray thoughts. Got it?"
I'd grabbed the eldest young master with an excuse about archery as he tried to bow and leave after a quick greeting. But maybe I should've just let him go.
"Excuse me, Eldest Young Master. I have a question."
"What is it?"
"In Hanyang—"
"Haha. We'll talk about that later. You're learning archery right now. Straighten your back. If your waist bends when you shoot, the arrow will curve too."
Arrows don't fly in a straight laser line—they trace a parabola.
"...Yes, sir."
Grumbling inwardly, I still listened to the eldest young master. I hooked the bowstring on the thumb ring on my right hand, supported the bow forward with my left, and drew the string.
Kku-gu-kok...! The bow creaked as I pulled. My arms trembled wildly, making the whole bow shake.
"Huh? Young master?"
It wasn't just me and the eldest young master in the backyard. Eori hadn't gone home yet and was watching my form.
"Young master? Why do you keep bringing the string to your lips and philtrum?"
"Same process, same result. You're memorizing the right string position with your facial senses."
"Whoaaa...!"
"Hm. As expected of Si-jin."
Eori and the eldest young master alike nodded in admiration at my explanation.
Of course, I didn't mention that I'd heard Olympic archers say the same thing on TV.
"Alright, give it a try. You improve by doing."
"Yes, Eldest Young Master."
I gave a vague reply and nocked a practice arrow with a string attached so it wouldn't fly off even if I messed up. I drew it back.
Kku-gu-kok...! Same creak, same shaking bow. I held as long as I could, then carefully released with an exhale.
"Huuu...!"
"Haha, good. Here, Si-jin, try this one."
As I caught my breath, the eldest young master handed me a real arrow without the string. This one would fly if shot.
"This one?"
The bow was light, the tip blunt—no piercing even if it hit—but the eye? That could blind or kill. I shook my head in horror.
"No way. Too dangerous."
"You little punk. Aspiring warrior with such a tiny bladder?"
Chicken? Chiiiicken? Think I won't?
"Hand it over."
"Fine. Aim at the house, just in case."
He was chickening out now that I was serious. I smirked inwardly at the eldest young master, nocked the arrow, and pulled with all my might.
Kku-gu-kok...!Pang!
The string snapped forward the moment I released, shoving the arrow. Powered by wood's elasticity—not rubber—it rocketed toward the cement wall.
Tak!
It looked set to embed... but bounced off, leaving just a round mark on the wall before hitting the ground.
"Hahaha!"
"Wowww!"
The eldest young master beamed, hands behind his back. Eori's eyes went wide, and she clapped in awe.
"Son? What was that noise?"
Until Mom opened the window and asked.
"The Eldest Young Master told me to shoot at the wall!"
"What?! Si-jin!"
"...Young Master."
"Heeheeheehee!"
I snitched, and a bright grin lit up Eori's dark face. The eldest young master, catching Mom's glare, floundered for excuses.
"N-no, uh, M-Madam. N-no, Mak-chun. It's not— I just wanted to see Si-jin's archery skill...!"
"Royal decree!"
"Y-yeah! Royal decree, huh? Royal decree?"
He parroted absentmindedly at the shout from beyond the house, then frowned. Mom, me, and Eori all turned, sensing something off.
The bizarre call continued.
Come forth and receive the royal command!
Royal decree? As in, the king's command?
No way. What lunatic's yelling about royal decrees and such in Joseon?
"Isn't that Kim Si-jin boy here?!"
"Y-yes! He's here! Coming right now!"
Curiosity about this madman overrode everything. I set down the bow and headed to the front yard.
A crowd gathered beyond the gate and wall.
"Si-jin! Come quick! Haha!"
"You Kim Si-jin?"
Through the open gap, two men stood out. One was Kim Jin-sa, grinning ear-to-ear. The other, a stranger in blue official robes, met my eyes.
"You the filial son Kim Si-jin of this house?"
"Uh, yeah. Live here, filial, Kim Si-jin. Something like that."
"Then that's it—not 'something like.' Come receive the decree."
"Decree? Suddenly? For me? Why?"
"Hey! Move it!"
I didn't say no. No need to yell.
Body faster than thoughts, I reached the man as Mom, Eori, and the eldest young master followed to watch.
"This the punk?"
"And who're you lot?"
Grinning Kim Jin-sa and the robed man spotted the eldest young master together. Jin-sa knew his own heir; the robed man seemed familiar too.
"F-Father?"
"You little...!"
Kim Jin-sa dropped his smile, glaring. But not in public.
"We'll talk at home."
"Yes, Father."
The eldest young master wilted, head down, trailing Kim Jin-sa like a prisoner. I shelved my Crown Prince questions for now.
"Hm. Alright."
The robed man glanced at him, then at Mom and Eori.
"You his family?"
"Y-yes, sir. I'm Si-jin's mother."
"I-I'm just the neighbor girl, sir."
"Then come stand behind your son. His Majesty bestowed a reward. Neighbor girl, step out."
"Huh?"
"The king?"
Mom's eyes bulged like mine earlier. Eori gawked too, then bowed out of the yard quick.
"Si-jin's mother, what're you waiting for?"
"Ah, yes. Coming."
Mom snapped to, joining me. Kim Jin-sa smiled again, instructing.
"This is His Majesty's edict. Four deep bows to show respect."
Edict—the man or the scroll? No clue, but Mom and I bowed four times as ordered.
The robed man unrolled it and read aloud.
You risked your life to repel five bandits and protect your mother—worthy of reward!
Your filial piety moves Us; We bestow this honor!
Continue in piety henceforth! Understood?!
"......"
"Understood?!"
"Y-yes."
"Yesss? These are His Majesty's words!"
"I-I'm deeply grateful, Your Excellency."
Should've warned me. Bursting in like this—what the hell?
"Done! Rise and receive it."
I stood straight, taking the scroll. Hanja not fully mastered, but it praised me as filial son. Cool. Local filial no more—national now.
Liked that. Dramas said filial arches helped exams. Sketchy, but king's nod? Academy gold.
Not all good, though. My name reached Hanyang's modern souls. They might not peg me as one too.
"And this: sweets and medicine from His Majesty! Eat gratefully!"
As Mom rose, men entered with wooden crates, stacking them mid-yard. Hanja read ramwonai.
Whatever—seemed over. Kim Jin-sa eyed the eldest young master sidelong, then spread arms entering.
"Hahaha! Si-jin! My Si-jin! Haha! Come here! Let me hug you!"
Am I your mom? Hug on demand? Wanted to knee his crotch and bolt, but crowd watching.
"Haha!"
Grab! Ugh! Old-man stink!
Kim Jin-sa's embrace hit me with aged soy sauce whiff. Revulsion plus hate—nausea rose.
"Haha, good boy. Such a fine lad. Fine, fine."
Pat-pat. Not content hugging, he thumped my back. Small mercy: released quick.
"Ahem! Hm! Hm!"
The robed man coughed, approaching. He eyed the ramwonai crates, then asked slyly.
"Uh, Si-jin? You know... how to eat ramwonai?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. I personally—wait, you do?"
"Yes. Eldest Young Master taught me."
Eyes flicked to him again. The robed man hacked like era-folk do.
"Ahem! Hm! Throat's dry from the long walk! Hm! Hm! Ahem! Hm!"
Just ask, creepily.
"One jar of ramwonai?"
"......"
"A whole crate, then."
"Hahaha! No need, really! Such a filial boy!"
You fucking leech. King's gift—meant to choke you—and you snag a crate? Fine, whatever. Already opened.
"Scholar Kim. Take a crate too?"
"Really? Haha. Fine. Not for me, from His Majesty."
"Can't hoard His grace."
"Grateful, I am."
Yeah, you too. We feed you.
"Mom. Share with village kids?"
One jar each for my boredom-busters.
"Eori! Tell your dad to take a crate!"
Her dad carried wounded me to the doctor—full crate due. Insurance for next time.
But...
"Eori?"
Huh? Where'd she go? She was by the gate before my bows.